“‘Kansas has always been a state known for its strong public schools,’ [David A.] Smith said. ‘Now, in publications across the country, Kansas is being identified as a prime example of how NOT to budget. While the rest of the country is clear that the reason for the current deficit is the irresponsible tax cuts passed in 2012, the Kansas Legislature continues to talk about balancing the state budget on the backs of its most vulnerable citizens, its children.’” Read more here: http://kckps.org/index.php/news-releases/612-state-trying-to-balance-budget-on-backs-of-children...
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Legislature stalls on tax bill on June 9th
Here’s a good recap of what happened/didn’t happen in the legislature on Tuesday, June 9th. “Coleson Reinecker, a 10-year-old from Inman wearing a U.S. flag T-shirt, captured frustration resulting from six months of legislative indecision about a state budget deficit surpassing $400 million. “’You’re not doing anything,’ Coleson Reinecker said. “His 9-year-old brother nodded affirmation. “’We sat here for nothing,’ Nathan Reinecker said.” Read more here: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-06-09/kansas-tax-policy-negotiations-start-day-thud. Also see http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article23582734.html....
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Leave a Comment Passed election bill causes concerns
The governor has signed the bill to move local elections to the fall. We share these concerns. “[T]here are a number of other questions about this law. Primary among those is why legislators felt it necessary to change a system that had worked well for decades. Advocates of the law say it will boost voter turnout because people are more accustomed to voting in November. That’s a questionable claim that really wasn’t supported with any data during legislative discussions. “On the down side, the new election calendar will mean that school board members now will take office in...
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Leave a Comment Administration threatens cuts to schools during tax debate
“In a startling turn of events, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration has revealed last-minute threatened cuts of nearly $200 million to K-12 schools, including Johnson County’s prized districts. “Figuratively, the governor appears willing to shoot the already-beleaguered schools in the foot, making them bear further financial pain because his cherished income tax breaks for businesses have drained money needed to provide crucial state services. “It’s the newest ploy being used by Brownback to force the Kansas Legislature to pass the largest tax increase in state history and close a $400 million budget gap.” Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/yael-t-abouhalkah/article23640895.html Update: the...
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